him with life and fortune. However, at the request of the Independent minister (who continued his friend to his dying day) he preached in his meeting house. At the first sermon, all was gay and trifling, no impression seemingly made at all But next morning, in the French church, the scene was quite altered. A visible and almost universal concern appeared. Many of the inhabitants earnestly desired him to give them one sermon more; for which purpose he was prevailed upon to put off his journey till the next day; and there was reason to think his stay was not in vain.

Next morning, he and his companions set out in a canoe for Savannah; and on their way, for the first time, lay in the woods, upon the ground, near a large fire, which keeps off wild beasts; upon which he makes this reflection: "An emblem, I thought, of the divine love and presence keeping off evils and corruptions from the soul."

On his arrival at Savannah, January 11, he was very happy to meet his family, who had reached there three weeks before him; and to find by letters from England, New York, &c., that the work of God prospered. But it was a melancholy thing to see the colony of Georgia reduced even to a much lower ebb than when he left it, and almost deserted by all but such as could not well go away. Employing these, therefore, he thought would be of singular service, and the money expended might be also a means of keeping them in the colony.

Before his arrival, Mr. Habersham had pitched upon a plot of ground for the Orphan-house, of five hundred acres, about ten miles from Savannah, and had already began to clear and stock it. The orphans, in the mean time, were accommodated in a hired house. On this, many years after, he makes the following reflections: "Had I proceeded according to the rules of prudence, I should have first cleared the land, built the house, and then taken in the orphans; but I found their concondition so pitiable, and the inhabitants so poor, that I immediately opened an infirmary, hired a large house at a great rent, and took in, at different times, twenty-four orphans. To all this I was encouraged by the example of Professor Franck. But I forgot to recollect, that Professor Franck built in Glaucha, in a populous country, and that I was building in the very tail of the world, where I could not expect the least supply, and which the badness of its constitution, which every day I expected would be altered, rendered by far the most expensive part of all his majesty's dominions. But had I received more, and ventured less, I should have suffered less, and others more."

The first collection he made in America was at the Rev. Mr. Smith's meeting house in Charleston, whither he went about the middle of March, to see his brother, the captain of a ship from England. He was desired, by some of the inhabitants, to speak in behalf of the poor orphans; and the collection amounted to seventy pounds sterling. This was no small encouragement to him at that time, especially as he had reason to think it came from those who had received spiritual benefit by his ministrations.

Having returned to Savannah, he went to the spot of ground where he intended the Orphan-house should be built; and, upon the 25th day of March, 1740, laid the first brick of the great house, which he called BETHESDA, i. e. a house of mercy. By this time, near forty children were taken in, to be provided with food and raiment; and, counting the workmen and all, he had near a hundred to be daily fed. He had very little money in the bank, and yet he was not discouraged; being persuaded that the best thing he could do at present for the infant colony was to carry on the work.

CHAPTER VI.

From his laying the foundation of his Orphan-house in Georgia, to his arrival in England, 1741.

MR. WHITEFIELD again set off in a sloop for Newcastle, in Delaware, where he arrived in ten days, extremely weak in body, and his spirits much depressed; yet, as he afterwards observed, Providence was infinitely better to him than his fears, and exceeded his most sanguine expectations; for his strength was surprisingly increased, insomuch, that during the space of two months, he was enabled to preach two or three times a day.

At Philadelphia the churches were now denied him. He therefore preached in the fields, and large collections were made for the Orphan-house; once, one hundred and ten pounds sterling. Societies for praying and singing were set on foot, and in every part of the town, many were concerned about their salvation.f "Many negroes came," says Mr. Whitefield, "some inquiring, have I a soul?"

* Long after this he writes, "Blessed be God, I have not been disappointed in the hope, that it would be a house and place of mercy to many, both in respect to body and soul."

A church was formed by the Rev. Gilbert Tennent, out of those who were Jenominated the followers and converts of Mr. Whitefield. No less than 140 individuals were received at first, after a strict examination, as members of

At New York, New Brunswick, Staten Island, Baskenridge, Whitely Creek, Frog's Manor, and Reedy Island, there was great concern upon the minds both of the preacher and hearers.

Sometimes he was almost dead with heat and fatigue. Thrice a day he was lifted upon his horse, unable to mount ⚫ otherwise; then rode and preached, and came in and laid himself along upon two or three chairs. He did not doubt that such a course would soon take him to his desired rest. Yet he had many delightful hours with Messrs. Tennents, Blair, &c. Night," says he, "was as it were turned into day, when we rode singing through the woods. I could not help recommending these men, wherever I went, in the strongest manner, because I saw they gloried in the cross of Christ." In a Journal written by Mr. William Seward, (Mr. Whitefield's companion in traveling,) we have the following particulars relating to this period.

"April 9, 1740. Mr. Whitefield proposed my going to England upon several important affairs, particularly to bring over Mr. Hutchins to take care of the Orphan-house in his absence -to acquaint the trustees of Georgia with the state of the colony, and the means under God, for the better establishment thereof, it being now upheld almost wholly by the soldiery and Orphan-house, most of the people who are unconcerned in either, being gone or about to go. The proper means are principally three: 1. An allowance of negroes. 2. A free title to the lands. 3. An independent magistracy, viz. such as are able and willing to serve without fee or reward. My business with the trustees will be farther, to bring over the money lodged in their hands for building the church at Savannah. I am, moreover, to collect subscriptions for a negro school in Pennsylvania, where Mr. Whitefield proposes to take up land, in order to settle a town for the reception of those English friends, whose hearts God shall incline to come und settle there.

"April 13. Mr. Tennent informed us of the great success which had attended Mr. Whitefield's preaching when here last. For some time a general silence was fixed by the Lord on the people's minds, and many began seriously to think on what foundation they stood. A general outward reformation has been visible. Many ministers have been quickened in their zeal to preach the word in season and out of season. Congrega

this newly constituted church. The admission of a large number more was delayed, only because their exercises and spiritual state had not yet attained such maturity as to afford satisfaction to themselves, or to the officers of the church. See Memoirs of Mrs. H. Hodge.

tions are increased, and some few, it is hoped, will be brought through their convictions, into a sound and saving conversion.

"April 14. Mr. Jones, the Baptist minister, told us of two other ministers, Mr. Treat and Mr. Morgan, who were so affected with Mr. Whitefield's spirit, that the latter had gone forth preaching the glad tidings of salvation towards the sea coast in New Jersey, and many other places which lay in darkness and the shadow of death. The former told his congregation that he had been hitherto deceiving himself and them, and he could not preach to them at present, but desired they would join in prayer with him.

"April 15. We were informed that an Indian trader was so affected with Mr. Whitefield's doctrine, that he was gone to teach the Indians, with whom he used to trade.

"April 18. This day was published, Mr. Whitefield's letter to the inhabitants of Maryland, Virginia, North and South Carolina, about the abuse of the poor negroes.

"Heard of a drinking club that had a negro boy attending them, who used to mimic people for their diversion. The gentlemen bid him mimic Mr. Whitefield, which he was unwilling to do: but they insisting upon it, he stood up and said, 'I speak the truth in Christ, I lie not; unless you repent, you will all be damned.' This unexpected speech broke up the club, which has not met since.

"Notice was given of a new lecture at Germantown every Thursday, by four ministers.

"April 22. Agreed with Mr. Allen for five thousand acres of land on the forks of Delaware, at 2,2007. sterling, the conveyance to be made to Mr. Whitefield, and after that assigned to me, as security for my advancing the money. Mr. Whitefield proposes to give orders for building the negro school an the purchased land, before he leaves the province.

"April 24. Came to Christopher Wigner's plantation in Skippack, where many Dutch people are settled, and where the famous Mr. Spalemburg lately resided. It was surprising to see such a multitude of people gathered together in such a wilderness country, thirty miles distant from Philadelphia. Mr. Whitefield was exceedingly carried out, in his sermon, to press poor sinners to come to Christ by faith, and claim all their privileges; viz. not only righteousness and peace, but joy in the Holy Ghost; and after he had done, our dear friend, Peter Bohler, preached in Dutch, to those who could not understand Mr. Whitefield in English.

"Before Mr. Whitefield left Philadelphia, he was desired to visit one who was under a deep sense of sin, from hearing him preach. In praying with this person, he was so carried be